Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 20, 2026

Kaban Lakes

The Kaban Lakes are a system of lakes in Kazan, Republic of Tatarstan, Russia that includes Nizhny (Blizhny) Kaban, Verkhny Kaban, and Sredny Kaban. They make up Tatarstan's largest lake, measuring 1.86 square kilometers in total.

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Jun 20, 2026
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Kaban Lakes
Lower Kaban
Kaban Lakes
Coordinates55°46′30″N 49°7′25″E / 55.77500°N 49.12361°E / 55.77500; 49.12361
Lake typeVolga riverbed + karst processes
Bolaq
Basin countriesRussia
Max. length5,575 m (18,291 ft) (Nearby+Remote); 1,030 m (3,380 ft) (Upper)
Max. width350 m (1,150 ft)
1.86 km2 (0.72 sq mi)
Max. depth12.5 m (41 ft)
11.8×10^6 m3 (420×10^6 cu ft)
Surface elevation
51 m (167 ft)
SettlementsKazan

The Kaban Lakes (Tatar: Кабан күле; Russian: Кабан, lit.'Boar') are a system of lakes in Kazan, Republic of Tatarstan, Russia that includes Nizhny (Blizhny) Kaban, Verkhny Kaban, and Sredny Kaban. They make up Tatarstan's largest lake, measuring 1.86 square kilometers (0.72 square miles) in total.1

The lakes are connected with the Kazanka River by the Bolaq channel and a subterranean channel from Bolaq-Kazansu. The city's sewage system also connects them to the Volga River.

The Thousandth Anniversary of Islam Mosque is situated on the bank.

Etymology

Also in Kazan there is a famous "Kaban Lake" similar to the name of the "Kuban River" - which translates from Nogai as "overflowing". The name originated in the 14th century with the Kipchak Tatars who came to these places, especially Astrakhan Nogais. The main now central Bauman Street that leads to the Kremlin is one of the oldest streets in Kazan. In the era of the Kazan Khanate, it was called the Nogai district.

References

References

  1. Mingazova, Nafisa; et al. "Restoration of Low Kaban Lake (Kazan, Russia): 25-term experience of restoration and monitoring of ecological condition" (PDF). Kazan State University. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 November 2015. Retrieved 15 January 2013.